Self-soldering heat-cartridge and protective apparatus.



'PATENTED FEB. 20, 1906. P.B.GOOK. sELE SOLDERING HEAT CARTRIDGE ANDPROTECTIVE APP ARATUS.

APPLICATION I'ILED H0126} 1904.

INVENTUR.

WITNESS I UNITED STATES FRANK B. COOK, OF. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PATENT OFFI Specification of Letters Ratent.

Patented Feb. 20, 1906.

Application filed November 26, 1904. Serial No. 234,359.

' have invented new and useful Improvements in Self-SolderingHeat-Cartridges and Pro tective Apparatus, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forminga part thereof. My i' vention relates to thermal protectors andprotective apparatus used in connection with telephone or telegraphsystems or the like, my object being, first, to rovide a selfsolderingheat-cartridge which cient, durable, and simple in construction; second,to simplif the apparatus used in connection with suc heat-cartridges;third, to provide improved means for closing an alarmcircuit when aprotector-operates, and, fourth, to provide im roved and simplifiedmeans for operating t e thermal protector where no alarm-circuit isrequired.

In my present Invention I rovide spring contact members adapted to. oldthe heatcartridges in operative position in the circuit and to causeeach said cartridge to establish a connection from the-said circuit toground when the cartridge operates. Protective devices of the classherein shown usually open the line-circuit and also connect a portionthereof to ground when 0 erated; but in this present invention -I mere yground the linecircuit without opening same. In connection withtelephone systems I find this ar rangement to be very satisfactory, aswhenthe ground connection is established through the rotector it forms ashort-circuit from the ine to earth, which shunts theswitchboard-circuit, and hence prevents the objectionable sneakcurrentfrom passing to or through the switchboard.

I employ the usual mounting-plate, which is also the ground-plate, formounting the protector-springs thereon, and also the usualightning-arresters, which are held in place against the ground-plate bycertain of the protector-springs.

I will more particularly describe my invention by reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of a duplicateset of the protective apparatus mounted on opposite sides of theground-plate, with portions shown in cross-section taken on line a: a:of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the prois veryeflitective'apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of amodified form of a duplicate set of the protective apparatus, taken thesame as Fig. 1, there being no provision for an alarm-circuit. Fig. 4 isa cross-sectional view of the heat-cartridge of the invention, takenthrough the axis thereof, with portions shown in elevation; and Fig. 5is a cross-sec tional View of a modified form of heat-cartridge, takenthe same as Fig. 4, with portions shown in elevation.

Like characters refer to like parts in the several figures.

' The mounting-plate a, preferably a part of the iron framework of across-connecting board or the like, is provided with a groundstri b,suitably secured to one edge thereof an adapted to accommodatelightning-arresters on each side thereof. On each side of theground-plate a are mounted springs c, d, and e by double-endedbolts mand n, which extend through the ground-plate and are insulatedtherefrom. The said springs are suitably insulated. from each other andfrom the ground-plate by insulating-bushings and washers] Z. Eachheat-cartridgeD is inserted between springs c and d, which hold thecartridge in an operative position, the pin 71 of the cartridge beininserted through a hole 0 in spring 0 and through a slot 7' in the freeend of spring cl. Lightning-arresters f f, comprisin the usual carbonblocks and an interpose dielectric, are inserted between theground-strip b and the free ends of springs c a, respectively, whichhold the lightning-arresters in place against the strip 1). Thealarm-springs e e are mounted outsi e of springs d d, respectively, andare 'conductively connected with each other through bolts m and n. Eachs ring 6 is provided with a contact e adapte to engage sprin (I when thethermal rotector operates, an with an insulating-iiushing 76, whichrests against the pin 71. to operate same, and also insulates spring efrom pin it. On each side of plate a is provided an insulating-pin h,extending through spring 0 and adapted to support spring cl when theheat-cartridge D is removed from the circuit. Line-terminals s and 1'are preferably continuations of linesprings cc, respectively, andswitchboard terminals t and u are preferably continuations ofswitchboard-springs d (1, respectively, terminals s and a being crossedover to opposite sides of plate a through space to arrange likeConductor o is soldered to the terminal end of one spring (2 andextends-parallel with plate a, so as to be soldered to a series ofalarm-springs e e in the respective sets'of the protective apparatus toconnect all of the alarmsprings in common. The battery p and signalingdevice q are preferably connected from the conductor 0 to earth at g.The heat-cartridge D of Fig. 4 preferably comprises an insulatin -sleevey, a conducting-cap .2 for. each encI thereof and secured thereto, and aresistance-pin i, preferably of graphite or carbon, extending completelthrough the shell y'and end caps 2 z and so dered to the capsz zby aneasil -fusible solder v v. Each end of pin 1 ispre erably covered with ametallic latin w, which provides a suitable surface or sol ering the pmi to c'aps 2 z and which also provides a good conductor from one ca 2 tothe groundstrip 6 when the heat-cartri ge operates, as shownon therighthand side of Figsl and 3. In constructing the pin 11 the metallicplating to maybe a plied so as to completely cover the surface 0 thepin, and then a'portion of same may be removed from the center .toprovide the required amount of heat reducing material in'the circuit-When this plating wis thus removed,'

the pin i may also be turned down until the resistance of same isad'usted to the required amount. By this method the resistancev of theheat-cartridges may be brought to any desirable amount, thus making theoperation of the cartrid es very uniform. If desired, a portion or al ofthe plating w may be removed from the ends 0 pin *8, so as to cause sameto establish a groundconnection from a line-spring c to the ground-plateI) through any required resistance when the cartridge operates.

The circuit through one of the heat-car tridges D is from theline-spring 0, through one end cap 2, heat-susceptible material 1) andone plated end w of pin 'i,'.the central heat-producing portion of pin11, the other plated end portion to of in t and heat-susr ceptiblematerial 1), and t e other end ca 2, to switchboard-spring d. Anabnormal e ectric current traversing this circuit or through the pin 01,such current being generally termed a sneak-current, heats the pin 1',due to the resistance thereof, and when the heat is sufficient theheat-susceptible material or solder 1) 'v fuses or softens and allowsspring e to slide the pin i through the heat-cartridge D and cause it tocome in contact with ground-strip 1), thereby grounding the linespring0, and thus switching the objectioncartridges and operate same to"line-circuit when an abnormal e ectrlc'curammo able current to earth,the contact a of alarm" sprin e at the same time engaging spring d, andt ereby closing the alarm-circuit from ground-strip I), through pin *5,spring (1, contaot e, spring e, conductor 0, battery Tp; andsignalingdevice q, to ground at g. I e abnormal current now flows fromllne-spring 0, through one end of pin i and the plating w thereof, tothe ground-strip b and thence to earth, thereby stopping the flow ofcurrent through the heat-producing portion of pin 'i and allowing theheat-cartridge to cool. When the cartridge D becomes cool, theheatsusceptible material '2) v hardens, and thereby solders the pin t tothe conducting-caps z z in this new re ative position. T o reset the apparatus, the heat-cartridge may be removed,

turned end' for end, and reinserted between iprings d and c, asoriginally. The cartridge and the apparatus may now be operated again asoriginally, the operation of the cartrid e D now being the reverse ofthe first operation. The apparatus may be operated again and again asmany times as desired,

each operation of the cartrid e being the re-, verseof the receding one.

t will be noted that when t e, heat-cartridge starts to .o erate thecircuit is not 0 ened through t e heat-producing pin 11, andconsequently the heat-cartridge does not cool when partly operated. Itwill also be noted that at no stage of the operation of the cartridge isthe circuit through the heat-producing. pin i opened. Thus the pin t-continues to produce heat to operate the device until the pin '5 actual]comes in contact with the ground-strip In Fig. 3 I have shown amodified'form'of protective apparatus used in connection ,with

the heat-cartridges D D. In this form of my invention I dispense 'withthe alarm-s rings e e and adapt the switchboard-springs F d to bearagainst the pins of the respective heatound the rent traverses the saidcartridges. One end of pin 11 ofeach heat-cartridge 1) is insertedthroggh a hole in sprin c, the same .as in Fig.

1,.an the other end 0 pin i is pressed into a slot in the freeend'ofspring d, there being a tongue portion (1 formed on s ring 41 to.engage the end of pin i and epress the latter against theound-stripbwhen the de vice operates. his t efofmy invention is particularly 'adated it smaller exchanges, where no alarm or the protective apparatus isrequired, the construction of the ap aratus being-very simple and thenumber o spring contact members being reduced to a minimum. 1

In Fig. 5 I have shown a modified form of heat-cartridge D. Theconstruction of this cartridgeD is similar to that of cartridge D,(shown in Fig. 4,) except that instead of using a graphite or-carbo'n pmi I use a metal pin 1/ i, the ends of which are insulated from eachother by' an insulating-disk h, provided with a heat-producing winding'11, wound around the pin '01 11, preferably as shown, and adapted toheat the said pin, and thereb soften the fusible material 1; v to allowthe evlce to operate. Each metallic .end ortion of the pm i i isprovided with a spoo 1?, adapted to receive its portion of the winding1'6 which heats its corresponding end of t e pin 11 t when an abnormalcurrent traverses the winding 'i. This heat-cartridge D may be reversedand o erated again, the same as the cartrid e D of ig. 4.

Whi e I have shown and described particular detailsof construction inthis invention, I

do not wish to limit same entirely to such details, as slightmodifications in the protective a paratus and heatcartridge proper woulnot be a departure from the scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is'- l 1. In a device of the characterdescribed, an inclosing shell, suitable conductin end caps, therefor andsecured thereto, and a eatproducing member extending completely throughthe said shell and end caps and projectin from at least one end of thedevice.

2. En a heat-cartridgeoi the character described, a heat-producm memberextending completely through an rojecting at one end of the cartridge,where y when operated, the cartridge is conditioned for another operation in a reversed position.

3. A thermal protector having a heat-producing, circuit-controllingmember extending com letely therethrough and projecting from at east oneend thereof, the operation of which places the device in condition foranother operation in a reversed position.

4. In a heat-cartridge, suitable terminals for connecting the cartridgein a circuit which it is to protect, 'a circuit-controlling o eratingmember normally extending comp etely through the cartridge and inelectrical connection with the said terminals, and means for operatingthe said circuit-controlling member to control a circuit and conditionthe cartridge for another operation in a" reversed position.

5. In an incased resistance member normally extending completely throughthe casing and operable der abnormal current conditions, alsu'pport forthe device, and means for operatin the said resistance member andinsulated t erefrom, the said resistance member and easing constitutinga device detachable from its sup.-

port for reversal after each operation fora repetition thereof.

6. A thermal protector comprising a sleeve I supportmgurlneans therefor,a eat-pioducmg pin exten a device of the character described,-

ongitudinally in either direction ung completely thrmigh t e sleeve,

heat-susceptible material normally holding the pin in operative,position, and suitable means for operating the pin to control a circuitand condition the device for another operation in a reversed position.

'7. A thermal protector comprising a sleeve, end caps therefor, aheat-producing pin extending completely through the sleeve and end capsand projectin from at least one end cap, and heat-suscepti le materialnormally securing the said in to the said end caps.

'8. In a therma rotector of the character described, the combination ofan insulatingsleeve, end caps therefor, and a spring-pressed resistancemember normally extending completely through the sleeve and end caps,being normally secured to the latter by heatsusceptible material, and oerable longitudinally in either direction, re atively to the remainderof the protector, to control a circuit, when the heat-susceptiblevmaterial is softened.

- 9. The combination with an electric circuit including at least onespring-support, of an incased resistance member supported by saidspring-sup ort,normally,extendin com- I pletely throug its casing andopera le in either direction. under abnormal current conditions,heat-susceptible material normally holding the resistance member againstoperation, and a spring member for o crating the said resistance memberbut insu ated therefrom, the said incased resistance member constitutinga detachable device capable of reversal after each operation for arepetition thereof.

10. In a thermal protector of the class specified, an insulatin -casing,a conductin end cap for each en thereof and secure thereto, a pin ofresistance material extending completel through said casing and endcaps, a metal ic plating for each end of said pin, and heat-susceptiblematerial normally securing the said plated portions of said pin to therespective end caps.

11. In a thermal protector of the character described, aninsulating-sleeve, a conductin end cap for each end thereof and securethereto, a resistance member extending completely through the sleeve andend caps, arr15 ranged to generate heat under. abnormal currentconditions to o erate the device and operable longitudinally in eitherdireetion to render the device reversible,under abnormal conditions, andheat-susceptible material nor- I 2 o mally securing the said resistancemember to the end caps.

12. A heat-cartridge of the character described, comprising a shell,a'lpiece of homogeneous resistance material extending corn r25 pletelythrough the cartridge and'operable in either direction under abnormalconditions,

operation. 1 3o 13. A heat-cartridge of the character describedcomprising a shell, a piece of graphite normally extending completelythrough the shell and operable in either direction under abnormalcurrent conditions to control a circuit and to render the devicereversible for another operation, and heat-susce tible ma terialnormally holding the sai graphite against operation.

- 14. In a heat-cartridge of the character described, a heat-producingpin extending completely through the cartrid e and operable endwise, andheat-susceptibi material normally securing the pin in a fixed position.

15. In apparatus of the class specified, a

ground-plate, a pair of springs mounted thereon, a heat producing memberelectrically connected in circuit with the said springs and adapted toengage the ground-plate when the device operates, and means foroperating the heat-producing member to-brin same in contact with theground-plate without opening the said circuit between the said springs.

16. In apparatus of the class specified, a ground-plate, a pair ofsprings mounted thereon, a heat-producing member electrically connectedbetween the pair of springs, an alar1n-spring mounted outside of thepair of springs and adapted to operate the heat-producing member underabnormal conditions and cause same to contact the ground-plate to groundthe circuit, and a contact on the a1arm-spring adapted to contact one ofthe pair of springs to close an alarm-circuit upon the operation of thedevice.

17,. In apparatus of the class specified, a ground-plate, a pair of srings for each side of the ground-plate an suitably mounted thereon, aheat-cartridge for each pair of springs, comprising a heat-producing inextending completely through the cartri ge and electrically in circuitwith the pair of springs, an alarm-spring for each side of theground-plate and mounted outside of the pair of springs, saidalarm-spring being insulated from said pin and provided with a contactadapted to engage one of the (pair of springs when the device operates,an lightning-arresters inserted between the respective inner springs ofthe pairs andthe ground-plate, abnormal currentconditions in eitherheatcartridge causing its corresponding alarmspring to bring theheat-producing pin in contact with the ground-plate to ground theline-circuit, the said alarm-spring also closing the alarm circuit, theheat cartridge being reversible after operation for another operationthereof.

As inventor of the foregoing I hereunto subscribe my name, in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses, this 23d day'of November, A. D.1904.

FRANK B. COOK. Witnesses:

H. B. HALL, FREDERICK R. PARKER.

